The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Red Army
Kliment Voroshilov (1881–1969): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 4 February 1881 (23 January Old Style), Verkhneye |
|---|---|
| Died | 2 December 1969, Moscow |
| Key offices | People’s Commissar for Defence (from 1925); Marshal of the Soviet Union (1935); Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (from 1953) |
| Documents bearing his name | Defence commissariat orders, award documents, Presidium decrees after 1953 |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Kliment Voroshilov was one of Stalin’s oldest allies. He led the defence commissariat for fifteen years, failed as a commander in 1941 and later became the Soviet head of state. His signature appears on military documents and, after 1953, on award decrees.
Who Was Kliment Voroshilov?
Voroshilov was born in 1881. He became People’s Commissar for Defence in 1925 and a Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1935. On 10 July 1941 he was given command of the north-western armies to defend Leningrad, but was stripped of command in September 1941. After Stalin’s death in March 1953 he became Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.
What Documents Bear Voroshilov’s Signature?
His signature appears on defence commissariat orders and on award documents and decrees, especially after 1953 as head of state.
Soviet documents bring their own checks. Signatures are usually in Cyrillic, and official papers combine typed text, printed forms, ink signatures and round seals. A collector should read the Russian text, compare the office named with the date, and remember that Soviet state papers were often reproduced, so many documents carry a printed or stamped signature rather than ink.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Read the Cyrillic text and check the office against the date.
- Distinguish ink signatures from printed or stamped ones.
- Soviet-era reproductions and later commemorative items are common.
- Ask for documented provenance on any important piece.
Later Life
As defence commissar, Voroshilov took part in the purges of the Red Army officer corps in the late 1930s. He kept high posts until he retired in 1960 and died in 1969.
Collector’s Note
Voroshilov’s name helps date Soviet award documents of the 1950s, just as Kalinin’s does for the war years.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Voroshilov a marshal?
From 1935.
Was Voroshilov head of state?
Yes, as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1953.
What happened at Leningrad in 1941?
He commanded its defence from July but was relieved in September 1941.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the Soviet period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of political repression and war.
References & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov.